The Bible reveals God’s identity through specific Hebrew and Greek names, as well as distinct divine attributes that describe his nature and character.
Primary Names of God
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Yahweh / YHWH (The LORD): The covenant, personal name of God, revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14 as “I AM WHO I AM.” It signifies his self-existence, eternal nature, and unchangeable faithfulness.
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Elohim: Used in Genesis 1:1 (“In the beginning God created…”), this plural-form noun denotes supreme majesty, sovereignty, and creative power.
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Adonai (Lord / Master): Emphasizes God’s rulership, ownership, and authority over humanity.
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El Shaddai (God Almighty): Highlights God’s all-sufficient power to fulfill his promises and sustain his people (Genesis 17:1).
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El Elyon (The Most High God): Points to his supreme sovereignty over all creation, nations, and heavenly beings.
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Theos & Kyrios: The primary Greek titles in the New Testament, corresponding to God and Lord.
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Abba / Father: Emphasized in the New Testament (especially by Jesus and Paul) to describe an intimate, relational adoption into God’s family.
Compound Covenant Names (Old Testament)
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Yahweh Yireh: “The LORD Will Provide” (Genesis 22:14)
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Yahweh Rapha: “The LORD Who Heals” (Exodus 15:26)
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Yahweh Nissi: “The LORD Is My Banner” / Victor (Exodus 17:15)
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Yahweh Shalom: “The LORD Is Peace” (Judges 6:24)
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Yahweh Ro’i: “The LORD Is My Shepherd” (Psalm 23:1)
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Yahweh Tsidkenu: “The LORD Our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6)
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Yahweh Shammah: “The LORD Is There” (Ezekiel 48:35)
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Yahweh Sabaoth: “The LORD of Hosts” / Commander of Angel Armies (1 Samuel 1:3)
Attributes of God
Theology commonly categorizes God’s attributes into those unique to him (incommunicable) and those reflected in humanity (communicable).
Incommunicable Attributes (Unique to God)
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Aseity (Self-Existence): He depends on nothing outside himself for existence or sustainment (John 5:26).
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Omnipotence: All-powerful; able to do anything consistent with his holy character (Jeremiah 32:17).
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Omniscience: Possesses complete, exhaustive knowledge of all past, present, future, and potential things (Psalm 139:1–4).
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Omnipresence: Present everywhere across all space simultaneously (Jeremiah 23:23–24).
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Immutability: Unchanging in his being, perfections, purpose, and promises (Malachi 3:6, James 1:17).
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Eternality: Infinite across time, having no beginning and no end (Psalm 90:2).
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Sovereignty: Holds absolute supreme rule and control over the universe (Daniel 4:35).
Communicable Attributes (Moral and Relational)
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Holiness: Absolute purity, moral perfection, and distinct set-apartness from creation (Isaiah 6:3).
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Love (Agape): Self-giving, sacrificial benevolence toward his creation (1 John 4:8, John 3:16).
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Justice & Righteousness: Upright in all dealings, executing perfect moral order and holding sin accountable (Deuteronomy 32:4).
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Mercy & Grace: Mercy withholds deserved punishment; grace gives unearned favor (Exodus 34:6, Ephesians 2:8).
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Faithfulness & Truth: Completely trustworthy, incapable of lying, and steadfast in keeping covenants (Numbers 23:19, Lamentations 3:22–23).
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Goodness: Generous, benevolent, and the source of all that is morally upright (Psalm 107:1).